Australia's spy chief says al-Qaida is rebuilding

Al-Qaida appears to be strengthening its forces in the remote border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan, despite recent offensives by US and Pakistani forces in the region, Australia’s spy chief said today.

Paul O’Sullivan, the head of the Australia Security Intelligence Organisation, said the rise in terrorist attacks and disrupted plots since September 11, 2001, demonstrated the extremist network was extending its ideological reach.